Chapter 23: A Hundred Ghosts March in Broad Daylight

Xiao Lin Town lay to the northeast of Maple Forest City, separated by Green Hill Town. As the crow flies, it was the farthest town from the main city within the Maple Forest City domain.

Under the lead of Wei Yan, the group rode without rest, passing Green Hill Town without stopping. In just half a day, they arrived outside Xiao Lin Town.

Green Hill Town was devoid of green hills; the name's origin was lost to the ages, perhaps once there were hills, but time had sculpted the land anew.

Xiao Lin Town, however, did indeed boast a small grove of moon cypress trees just outside, so small one could see its entirety at a glance. Moon cypress possessed calming properties, and furniture crafted from its wood was highly sought after.

Rumor had it that the grove was once vast, but due to the high value of moon cypress, the townsfolk frequently pilfered the wood, causing the grove to shrink. Had it not been for a specific command from Maple Forest City prohibiting such theft, this small grove might have vanished years ago.

The constables dispatched from Green Hill Town were stationed within the grove, some sitting, some lying, a rather undisciplined sight. Only upon hearing the thundering of hooves did they gather to receive the arrivals.

These constables possessed only mortal martial prowess and dared not enter the town to investigate under the current circumstances. Their role was merely one of observation and warning.

Wei Yan reined in his horse outside the grove, his gaze sweeping over the constables before he inquired, "What is the situation in Xiao Lin Town?"

The constable leading the Green Hill Town contingent, a broad-faced man in his forties, replied upon hearing the question, "A fog has enveloped Xiao Lin Town starting five days ago. At the time, we paid it little heed, assuming it was merely a change in weather. We could still make out the town's outline then, and faint figures. Some of our Green Hill Town folk even visited relatives. Yesterday, we received orders to set up a cordon here for observation. We haven't seen anyone emerge, and the fog has grown increasingly thick; we can see nothing now."

Among the disciples of the Dao Academy, Jiang Wang craned his neck, peering towards Xiao Lin Town. The Maple Forest City domain was his birthplace, the land that nurtured him. Though he grew up in Phoenix Creek Town, he was not unfamiliar with Xiao Lin Town.

The West Mountain Bandits, whom he had single-handedly vanquished with his sword, had been entrenched in the West Mountain, ten li north of Xiao Lin Town.

In the past, from this very moon cypress grove, one could see Xiao Lin Town. The town was not wealthy, but it was peaceful and harmonious. Now, gazing upon it, only a shroud of mist remained.

Just then, Wei Yan's voice cut through the air, "You were instructed to observe Xiao Lin Town from here, yet you are scattered and undisciplined. Furthermore, some of you have taken the opportunity to pilfer moon cypress trees. Have you come on official duty or to pursue personal gain?"

The faces of the Green Hill Town constables paled. The leading constable repeatedly bowed, attempting to offer some explanation.

But Wei Yan's pronouncement of punishment was swift: "The felled moon cypress trees are to be sent to the City Guard barracks. In addition, all of you will have your俸禄 (Fènglù - stipends/salaries) withheld for one year. The constable in charge bears the responsibility of leadership and is hereby dismissed!"

The broad-faced man's face turned ashen, yet he dared not even protest, merely stepping back dejectedly.

Upon hearing Wei Yan's judgment, Jiang Wang finally noticed the few felled moon cypress trees.

And Wei Yan, upon his arrival, had already taken everything into his keen observation.

Jiang Wang sighed, marveling at Wei Yan's acuity, while also thinking how truly severe this man was.

Xiao Lin Town was lost, and this moon cypress grove was temporarily leaderless. These constables were risking their lives to establish a cordon outside Xiao Lin Town for observation; casually cutting down a few trees to supplement their income, though a dereliction of duty, was perhaps understandable.

Green Hill Town was not wealthy, and withholding a year's stipend meant these constables' lives would become instantly difficult. Especially for this middle-aged man in his forties, the position of constable was likely the pinnacle of his life's striving. With a single sentence from Wei Yan, he was back at square one.

However, this journey was akin to a military expedition. Wei Yan led, acting as the commander. His orders were military commands, and none could defy them.

Having concluded the punishments, Wei Yan pulled on the reins and spurred his horse forward, galloping towards Xiao Lin Town.

The horses were warhorses from the military barracks, and the riders were cultivators from the Dao Academy. Though only a little over thirty in number, their movements were coordinated, swift as lightning, carrying the momentum of a thousand troops.

Hooves thundered like rolling thunder across the land, but then, a sudden halt!

The seasoned warhorses, facing the mist that enshrouded the entire Xiao Lin Town, reared and neighed incessantly. No matter how the riders urged them on, they refused to take another step forward.

Over thirty warhorses shrieked in fear in unison, as if something within Xiao Lin Town filled them with profound terror. This scene was truly alarming.

Even though the riders' cultivation levels prevented the embarrassment of being thrown from their horses, morale had plummeted, no longer retaining the spirited confidence they had shown upon leaving the city.

Even Wang Changxiang, usually composed and serene, his expression became solemn.

Only Wei Yan's face remained unchanged.

His battle armor bore numerous marks of wear. The saber at his waist was long and straight. The warhorse beneath him was tall and mighty.

All knew these to be Wei Yan's three most cherished possessions.

But suddenly, he drew his saber!

It was as if a sudden bolt of lightning had flashed out of thin air, and the saber light had vanished. The magnificent horse beneath him stopped neighing instantly, its large head detaching from its body and being propelled a distance by the gushing column of blood from its neck.

The horse's corpse crashed to the ground.

Wei Yan pressed his hand to his saber, his gaze fixed on the mist-shrouded town, but his voice was cold: "Faltering before the enemy, what use are you?"

"Good!" The first to respond was Du Yehu. Naturally fierce and straightforward, he immediately slammed a fist down, shattering the horse's head. "Wei, how do we charge next?"

Wei Yan raised his right hand slightly, "Heed my command. Dismount and prepare for battle. Form a spearhead formation, with me as the tip, and enter Xiao Lin Town directly!"

Wei Yan's slaying of the horse had made everyone realize there was no retreat. There was no longer any room for hesitation. They dismounted in unison.

Wei Yan then ordered, "Raise weapons!"

With a synchronized clang, sharp blades were drawn from their sheaths!

At this moment, Wei Yan's unassuming deputy stepped forward. He held his right palm upward, formed a hand seal with his left, and chanted incantations. Finally, he declared, "Sharpen!"

Jiang Wang felt a surge of sharpness from the longsword in his hand. This sword, which could only be described as well-crafted, now gave him the illusion that nothing could withstand its edge.

"Enflame!"

Flames erupted on all the weapons! The cultivators held their sabers and swords like torches, determined to illuminate the mist-shrouded town before them.

"Fortify!"

Ling He felt his body become tougher, filled with a surging desire to clash with opponents with his fists. However, he merely glanced at the bristling and furious Du Yehu beside him and quietly dispelled this illusion.

Zhao Rucheng, however, was thinking that group enhancement Dao arts were at least of the Intermediate-Grade High-Rank level. And Wei Yan's unremarkable deputy had cast three such arts consecutively without batting an eye. The Ministry of Military Affairs truly hid dragons and tigers.

Regardless of their individual thoughts, there could only be one will during a march. Under the effects of the Dao arts, Wei Yan advanced with his saber leading the way, the first to step into Xiao Lin Town.

As the group proceeded, they observed the surroundings. The town was so silent that only their footsteps echoed.

After moving forward for a while, the fog seemed to grow even thicker.

The fog was so dense it was almost tangible. Beyond three paces, figures became indistinguishable. They could only see the fiery glow on their weapons, stubbornly standing within the seemingly endless thick mist.

Left with no choice, they once again tightened their formation. The distance between them changed from five paces to three. Any closer would impede combat.

Jiang Wang and his sworn brothers were positioned in the middle and towards the rear of the formation. With their lowest cultivation levels, they received implicit protection, a fact that required no concealment and was a fine tradition of the Dao Academy.

Du Yehu's fists crackled as he clenched them. He wasn't nervous, but rather excited, eager for action.

Jiang Wang had no doubt that even with the Nine Great Demon Sovereigns, whose infamous names now spread across the land, before him, Du Yehu would not hesitate to throw a punch. Whether he could win, however, was another matter.

Just then, a cry of alarm suddenly came from the periphery of the formation, "What is that?!"

Another voice replied with dissatisfaction, "Mere ghosts, what's there to fear?"

But soon, the cry turned to one of astonishment and fear: "So many?!"

Hearing this, Wei Yan abruptly turned and unleashed a horizontal slash with his saber!

A colossal saber aura tore through the air, momentarily cleaving the thick mist around them!

And in that instant, everyone saw it: filling the entire street, stumbling and clawing, a dense swarm of wandering souls!

Under the clear blue sky, a hundred ghosts walked by day!